Pencil



, Aug-14, 3923 J. E. ROACZH PENCIL Filed on. 6. 1917 I NVENTOR Z1 Rona/ 24 Patented as. 14, ions.

' mesa muses, on Manama, cnarroanm, assmno'n, BY mnsivn sacraments, 'ro no'roromr misnomer-came commas, or omcaeo, rumors, a coaroaa'rxon orratmors. t f I PENCIL.

Application filed October 6, 1917. Serial at, 195,206.-

To all whom z'zfonay concern:

Be it known that I, Jnssn E. RoAoH, a

I citizenof the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county" ofAlameda and Stateof California, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Pencils, of Whi .the'following is a specification.

t 'n'vention re and operable by means exteriorly cat, for advancing a lead into operative position. f

Thepresent pencil embodies many novel features of improvement, among which are:

a magazine having capabity for the storage of'a large supply of reserve leads; a connection between the several working parts ofthe pencil that maybe readilyestablished or disestablished, whenever required; and

a threaded engagement between the plunger :ind rotatable sleeve that actsto retain the plunger in operative position therewithin whenever the sleeve is temporarily withdrawn-from the body. These may be mentioned as a few of the s cial features of my invention, although have aimed additionally to devise a structure that is simple, reliable, inexpensive, and otherwise desirai ble from manufacturing and service standpoints. Other objectsas well will appear from the description to follow,'where1n reference is made to a preferred embodiment of my invention as exhibited in the accompanyin'g drawing, in which-- Figure 1' 's a longitudinal section through the pencilytheparts being shown in their I relation to the stub end of a piece of lead tion, of the sleeve which is adapted for rotation within the pencil body;

v 3 serves asa magazine and which is stationary within the pencil advanced to its limit; 1

Fig. 2 is-a similar view, excepting that it shows the parts in their relation to a piece of lead that is full length;

Fig. 3 is a detail view, in longitudinal sec- Fig. 4: is a side elevation of the core which a Fig. 5 isanend view thereof;

" Fig. 6 is an elevation of the plunger and Fig. 7 is an end view thereo H the present pencll, use is.

In constructing madeof a body 10 in the form of tubing, its

' lower end 11 being tapered. At the extewr is a tip 12, having its tee to a pencil equipped. 1 with'nropelling mechanism 'interiorly of its lower end in the form of a truncated cone tapered end of the pencil, as clearly shown in F igs. 1'and'2. "An'axial bore is arranged in" the tip, being slightly constricted as at 32 near its lower extremity so as to frictionally enga 'e the lead being used in the pencil.

Centrall I The upper end of the tube 13 is fitted to a collar lat-arranged immovably within the bodv, and formedon the upper. side of the collar 15 a socket into which is fixedly secured a hollow core 15 which serves as a magazine for reserve leads. This magazine is of horseshoe shape in cross section (see Fig. 5), being open along one s'itle fro'm'end to end to provide in effect a'slot l6. Vithin the magzu zine a number; of leads may be stored. both end toend and side to side. v The lower end of the magazine closed by the annular surface of the collar 14- with whichit abuts; the closure for the upper end, however, is differently formed, as will presently be explained.

I have arranged within the pencil a plunger 17 (see Fig. 6) which is of a size.

y arranged within thebody 10 and directly above the tip is a tube 13, the one- .part being held in fixed relation to the other by .some'such means as solder dropped -'1nt0 the tapered end of the'pencil.

to interlock with a spiral thread 20 formed on the 'inner'face of asleeve 21 which is mounted to rotate withm the pencil. The

' formation of the spiral thread is of particular interest inasmuch asit is of, dove-tailed or undercut shape 1n cross section such that the teeth 19 (which are formed in aco'mple- 'mentary manner) can not disengage there'- from. This is important for the reasonthat the operation of refiiling'the'p'encil requires the temporary withdrawal from the body 10 of the sleeve 21, together with the plunger 17 therein, and during this interval the plunger would tend to become disengaged from the sleeve if it were not for the interlocking connection between these parts. Owing to' the fact, moreover, that these teeth are several in number, and engage with several convolutions of the thread, the plunger is required to remain in operative position within the sleeve when these parts are with drawn from the pencil. This is of advantage in the replacement of the parts,- since the plunger will. automatically enter the core in a'proper manner as the sleeve is inserted within the pencil body.

The upper end of the sleeve 21 is formed with a head 22 which overlies and may abut the upper end of the pencil body. Extending upwardly from the head is a cylindrical wall 23 providing in effect a cup into which may be inserted a cap 24 which serves as a retainer for an-eraser 25. Preferably the 1 cap frictionally engages the cylindrical wall 23 so as to be readily disengaged therefrom whenever it is desired to use the eraser. This head, orcap, or both, may be turned freely whenever required to actuate the plunger within the pencil. A clip 26 is carried upon a band 27 which surrounds the pencil in a manner to overlap the adjoining ends of the body and sleeve head. thusserving to conceal the line of juncture therebetween. i

At the upper end of the sleeve adyacent its head, interior threads 2 are provided.

adapted to receive the upper end of the core. which for this purpose is similarly threaded as at 29. The threads 28 formed at the sleeve headshould be substantially the same in number, but not in pitch, the spiral threads 20 within the sleeve. If, for example, the pencil is designed to accomodate pieces of lead which are two inches in length, the plunger should be capable of traveling within the pencil for a distance fully as great. The spiral threads will accordingly be formed with a pitch that will act to propel'the plunger the required distance witha predetermined number of turns withln the pencil body. In order that the spiral threads may act to propel the plunger, it

is necessary that the sleeve itself be prevented from any substantial longitudinal movement. For this purpose I have pro- -vided the cooperating threads 28 and 29 which act to hold the sleeve against any but a 2% slowand limited movement longitudinal of the pencil.

When a full length piece of lead is introduced into the pencil the parts will be related very much as is indicated in Fig. 2. It will be noted that the plunger stands near the upper end of the core, and that the threads 29 have commenced to engage with the socket 28. With rotation of the sleeve and the consequent. propulsion of the plunger, the arts will tend to assume the relation exhibited in Fig. 1. When the lead is about used up, the lower end of the plunger will abut the constriction in the tip, while the sleeve will have moveddownwardl until the threaded end 29 of the core has advanced clear to the upper end of the sleeve. By a raersal ofthe movements described, the lunger will be retracted again to the top of the core and the sleeve as well will unscrew from the core-until the sleeve with plunger therein isfree to be withdrawn from the pencil body. It will be observed that during these operations both the plunger and sleeve are required to travel .lohgitu inally within the pencil, the ratio-of travel varying in accordance with the pitch of the respective actuating threads.

In refilling the pencil, the plunger'as well as the sleeve is retracted by a turning movement imparted to the latter in the direction reverse to thatapplied for the advancement of the lead, the relation of the 29 to re-engage; this action results further in an advance of theplunger so as to ropel forwardly the leads whichlie in a vance thereof. It will thus be seen that the same movement which advances or retracts the plunger also causes the sleeve to move to a very slight extent, with the result that while the sleeve is held against any substantial longitudinal movement, it is.nevertheless moved sufliciently to disengage from the pencil body when the plunger tracmd.

The cap which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is .formed with an opening 01' slot 30 inits upper end through which any convenient instrument may be insertedto advance the isfully re eraser 25 whenever such action-is desirable.

It will be understood, of course, that in the" use of this eraser the cap is removed from the pencil.

From the preceding description, it will be apparent that the pencil of my invention is simple and inexpensive to produce. The parts are so constructed and related as to be thoroughly protected and 'to require but slight manipulation for any purpose whatever. In addition, it will be noted that the threaded connections between the sleeve'and ing upon the extent to which the actuated 1 arts have been operated. This connection tween the 'sleeve and body is shown as formed with threads arranged at the upper extremityof the core, but as the core is a part having a fixed relation to the body, the connection, to all intents and purposes, is

' made to. the body itself.

I claim:

" 1. A- pencil having a chambered body in which is fixed a core curved in horse-shoe shape in cross section to rovide a slit communicating with a centra passageway therein, a lead propellingplunger adapted for travel within the central passageway of the Core, the plunger having ahead extending fwithin the slit, and dovetailed teeth upon the head extending exteriorly' of thejcore,

and a sleeve mounted for rotation within the body, thesleeve-having undercut threads to form an interlocking connection with the.

1 plunger teeth, and means 'exteriorly of the body for rotating the sleeve whereby the st-antially as described.

plunger is advanced within the pencil, sub- 2. A pencil having a chambered body 3' within which-is mounted a rotatable sleeve formed interiorly with a spiral undercut threadya plunger adapted for longitudinal travel within the pencil body and having laterally projecting teeth in interlocking enlgagement with the spiral threads of the sleeve, .against rotation while traveling within the means for maintaining the plunger pencil, and for rotating" I ger, substantially asdescribed.

3. A pencil having a chambered body within which .is arranged a, sleeve formed interiorly with an undercut thread, a plunger adapted for movement within the pen: cil bod having laterally projecting teeth means exteriorly 'of'the pencil in inter ocking engagement with said undercut threads, and means for effecting a relative rotative movement between the sleeve and plunger whereby the-one is advanced longitudinally of the other,'substantially as described.

4. A pencil having a chambered body within which is arranged a lead propelling mechanism including two parts relatively rotatable. to each other, oneunart being arranged td effect actuation of the other, and both .parts being removable from the pencil, an interlocking connection between said parts including a dovetailed tooth on the one and an undercut thread on the other, whereb both parts remain in unitary relation w en withdrawnfrom the body, and

means for securing one part within the pencured therewithin,

scribed. i

and a dovetailed tooth on the other,

tially as described.

the sleeve to advance the plum.

cil body whereby the other part is also se- 5, A pencil having a chambered within which is arranged lead propelling inecha iisin including, in combination, an actuat ng and an actuated member each n operative relation to theother and intersubstantially as delocked" by means of an'undercut-thread on the one and a dovetailed tooth on the simultaneously in a direction longitudinally of the pencil, the actuatin' member having a threaded connection wit the pencil body and adapted to be rotated relative thereto, the threaded connection being disestablished when the actuated member reaches the limit other, and each bein arranged for travel v of its travelin one direction, whereby both members may be withdrawn as a unit from the pencil body, substantiallya's described. '6. A pencil having a chambered body within which'is arranged a lead propelling mechanism including two-parts interlocked by means of an undercut thread on the 0113 an adapted for relative longitudinal movement when one such part .is rotated relative to the pencil body, the part so rotatable relative tome body having a threaded connection therewith independent of its threaded connection with the other 'part,'and being automatically disconnected from the body when the mechanismisoperated in one direction fora predetermined distance, and, when rotated in'the opposite direction being auto maticallv connected to the body, substan- 7. A; pencil having a chambered body within -which is arranged lead propelling mechanism, including, in combination two relatively rotatable parts one of which is formed with an undercut thread and the interlocking engagement with said thread, said parts being removable as a-unit from the pencil body, substantially as described. 8. A pencil having a chambered body eluding a lead propelling member and an actuating niember therefor and attached thereto by an interlocking threaded connection, said members being removably secured within the body. of the pencil'and being adapted for simultaneous longitudinal .movement therein during the propulsion of the active lead, substantially as described.

9. A pencil having a chambered body other t which is provided'with a tooth in within which is arranged mechanism inr within which is arranged lead propelling mechanism, including, in combination, an actuating and an actuated member, one havinn an interlocking threaded connection with the other, and the actuating member having a threaded connection with the body, such that, when operated, both the actuating and actuated members are adapted to move longitudinally of the pencil in the same direction, the threads forming the interlocking connection having a greater pitch whereby the speed. and consequently the distance of travel,of the actuated member, is

also the greater, substantially as described.

10. A 'pencl comprising a hollow barrel, :1 lead propelling element arranged to move axially within the barrel and provided with a laterally extending projection, a tubular member surrounding the element and furnishing a guide for the active lead and provided with a longitudinal slot through which the projection on the element protrudes, a tubular screw member concentric with and outside of the slotted tubular member and operatively' engaged with said projection, a rotatable head for imparting relative rotation between the propelling element and screw member for advancing the propelling element, said head being secured to and removable with the tubular screw member, the operat ng parts heir; arranged to, furnish a holder for extra leads adapted .to'be exposed by the removal of the head and tubular screw member associated therewith, substantially as described. I

11. A pencil comprifng a hollow barrel within which is formed a magazine for reserve leads. a lead propelling element arranged to move axially within the barrel and provided with a laterally extending pro jection, a tubular member fixedly secured within the barrel in surrounding relation to the element and furnishing a guide for the active lead and provided with a longitudinal slot through which the projection on the ele ment protrudes. a tubular screw member concentric with and outside of the slotted tubular member and operatively engaged with said projection, and a head forming a closure forthe magazine fixedly connected with the tubular screw member so as to ro-. tate the same relative to the propelling element whereby this latter part may be advanced within the pencil. there being means for removably holding the head and screw member in operative relation to the remaining parts of the pencil, substantially as described.

v12. A pencil comprising a hollow barrel within which, is formed a magazine for re serve leads. a-longitudinaily slotted tubular member arranged within the barrel and held in fixed relat on thereto, a lead propelling element within the tube and having a lateral projection which extends through the slot. a rotatable head adapted to close the;

magazine, a tubular screw member connected with the head and adapted to rotate therewith, the tubular screw member being arranged in surrounding relation to the slotted tubular member and having internal threads with which engage the lateral projection of the lead propelling element. said head and tubular screw member being removable as a unit from the barrel. and means for maintaining the head and tubular screw member in operative relation to the remaiuin, parts of the pencil, substantially as described.

JESSE E. ROACH. 

